Designing products that are safe and free from hazards is a crucial aspect of industrial design. Not only does it protect the users and the environment, but it also enhances the usability, functionality, and appeal of the products. In this article, you will learn some tips and techniques to design products that are safe and free from hazards.
The first step to design safe products is to identify the potential hazards that could arise from the use, misuse, or disposal of the products. Hazards can be physical, chemical, biological, electrical, thermal, mechanical, or ergonomic. You can use tools such as hazard analysis, risk assessment, failure modes and effects analysis, and user testing to identify and evaluate the hazards. You should also consider the context, environment, and user characteristics of the products.
Recientemente donde laboro realizamos análisis de riesgos a los puestos de trabajos y áreas: 1. Identificar los peligros asociados a las tareas rutinarias y no rutinarias del puesto y area de trabajos (Ejemplo en Fabricación). 2. Describir los riesgos asociado a cada actividad. 3. Realizar la evaluación considerando los métodos establecidos, como (Consecuencia x Probabilidad x Frecuencia) y esta me arrojará el nivel de riego (Tolerable, Moderado, Notable y Alto). 4. Establecer los controles basados en la ISO 45001: 2018 Controles Ingenieria, Medidas Administrativas, EPPs. 5. Analizarlos riesgos residuales luego de las medidas implementadas y de no reducirse. 6. Establecer planes de acción, para eliminar, sustituir, reducir el riesgo.
??In my experience of a recent kitchen cabinet project, I meticulously identified potential hazards to ensure the safety and integrity of the final product. ??One key step was conducting a thorough risk assessment, considering factors such as sharp edges, flammable materials, and ergonomic design to minimize the risk of accidents. Additionally, I collaborated closely with colleagues in product testing and quality assurance to simulate real-world usage scenarios and identify any potential safety concerns. ??By proactively addressing these hazards during the design phase, we were able to create kitchen cabinets that not only met aesthetic and functional requirements but also prioritized the safety and well-being of end-users.
é fundamental fazer um bom briefing e explicar o processo ao cliente, para que ele participe das decis?es que s?o fundamentais e que ele entenda que os kpis s?o os principais drivers do projeto, mas que ele tem a liberdade de optar por outros caminhos.
As a packaging designer, before I begin the design process, I always ask the client a series of key questions to ensure the packaging meets both functional and aesthetic needs: What product are we packaging? What is the product’s weight? What is the shipping destination? Does the package need to fit into a master carton? How many master cartons will be stacked for shipping or storage? What is the delivery method to the end customer? (Home delivery or retail shelf?) How much shelf space is available for display? Do we need to adjust the packaging size for graphics? Does the product require special protection? (e.g., electronics, glass, medical devices) These questions help ensure the packaging protects both the product and the end customer.
The second step to design safe products is to apply the relevant safety standards and regulations that apply to your products. Safety standards and regulations are sets of rules and guidelines that specify the minimum requirements for the safety, performance, and quality of the products. They can be national, regional, or international, depending on the market and the industry. You should consult the safety standards and regulations that apply to your products and follow them accordingly. You should also document and test your compliance with the standards and regulations.
??In a recent kitchen cabinet design and manufacturing process, this involved thoroughly researching and understanding relevant safety codes and regulations for kitchen furniture. I then incorporated safety features such as rounded edges, sturdy construction and appropriate materials to mitigate potential hazards. Throughout the design phase, I regularly consulted with safety experts and conducted internal reviews to ensure alignment with industry standards. ??By proactively integrating safety considerations into the design, we not only met regulatory requirements but also prioritized the safety and well-being of users, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Es totalmente importante considerar las normativas y reglamentos de seguridad que van acorde a mi producto, puesto que más que el cumplimiento legal, es poder respaldar a nuestros clientes con la entrega de un producto seguro.
The third step to design safe products is to implement safety features and measures that can prevent or reduce the hazards. Safety features and measures are design elements that can enhance the safety, functionality, and usability of the products. They can be passive or active, depending on whether they require user intervention or not. Some examples of safety features and measures are guards, locks, alarms, indicators, labels, warnings, instructions, ergonomics, materials, and coatings.
??In a recent kitchen cabinet project, I focused on implementing robust safety features to ensure the final product was safe and hazard-free. ??This involved incorporating features such as soft-close hinges to prevent finger pinching, anti-tip mechanisms to prevent the cabinet from toppling over, and durable materials resistant to heat and moisture to prevent accidents. ??I conducted thorough testing and simulation to identify any potential hazards and iteratively refined the design to address them.
To ensure our design is safe for both the product and the user, we consider several factors. First, we assess if the product needs additional protection, like thicker materials or foam inserts, to prevent damage during distant shipping. We discuss handle options—whether they should be plastic or integrated—along with their placement and potential impact on material integrity. We also decide where the box will open—top, side, or bottom—and whether to include a window, balancing visibility with structural strength. Each decision is crucial for creating packaging that is functional, protective, and user-friendly.
The fourth step to design safe products is to communicate safety information to the users and other stakeholders. Safety information is the information that informs, educates, and guides the users and other stakeholders about the safety, performance, and quality of the products. It can be verbal, visual, or tactile, depending on the medium and the message. Some examples of safety information are logos, symbols, icons, colors, shapes, fonts, sounds, textures, and gestures.
??To achieve this in a recent kitchen cabinet project, I incorporated clear and intuitive safety labels and instructions directly onto the cabinet surfaces. ??I created an accompanying user manual that provided detailed information on safety precautions, proper installation procedures, and maintenance guidelines. Utilizing simple language and visual aids, I aimed to make the safety information easily accessible and understandable for all users. ??By prioritizing clear communication of safety information, we ensured that the kitchen cabinets were not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe and hazard-free for everyday use.
Algo que no se hace conocer de los productos en general actualmente, es que el cliente desconoce los datos de seguridad, como el proceder en caso de mal uso, más allá del dato documental o rótulo que traiga el producto es importante reforzar con videos, charlas haciendo mención este dato que es vital e importante para nuestros clientes.
In my opinion safety labels are the after-thought to safety related questions: In best case your product avoids all these markings by solving all risks by its design: you can use safety guards, sensors or intelligent design to avoid hazards. (There are also ragulative requirements regarding safety issues) And you can avoid by design, that certain surfaces exceed permissable temperatures etc. What is also important is to guide the user. By intelligent industrial design and ergonomic and cognitive basic knowledge you can eleminate hazards in the product planning phase, even before you have to put stickers on your product. I agree indeed, if you have special hazards in the product - like laser or radiation sources - you can't avoid stickers.
The fifth step to design safe products is to evaluate and improve the safety of the products. Evaluation and improvement are the processes of measuring, analyzing, and enhancing the safety, performance, and quality of the products. They can be done before, during, or after the production of the products. You can use tools such as testing, inspection, feedback, review, audit, and certification to evaluate and improve the safety of the products. You should also monitor and update the safety of the products according to the changes in the standards, regulations, user needs, and market conditions.
??In a recent kitchen cabinet project, this involved analyzing the design for sharp edges, pinch points and stability concerns. After pinpointing these issues, I collaborated with engineers and safety experts to implement design modifications and enhancements. For example, we rounded sharp corners, added safety latches to prevent accidental openings, and optimized weight distribution for stability. Additionally, we conducted rigorous testing to validate the effectiveness of these safety improvements. ??By continuously evaluating and enhancing safety features, we ensured that our kitchen cabinets were not only stylish and functional but also safe and hazard-free for everyday use.
Os testes para isso dependem muito do propósito do produto, materiais constituintes, dentre outros, mas de uma maneira geral, é interessantes observar alguns testes como de resistência, durabilidade, toxicidade, inflamabilidade e impacto, que possam ser alinhados ao propósito do produto. Análise assim s?o importantes para identificar perigos potenciais e determinar medidas de controle, como análise de falhas, análise de modo e efeito de falha, e análise preliminar de perigos, antes que chegue nas m?os do consumidor.
In my opinion evaluating and analyzing products regarding safety and hazards is a necessary first step in a product development phase. Starting with a proper analysis is the most efficient way to cobe with all user and safety related issues of a product. A crucial part of the analysis is user and market feedback. After all, certifying the product after it's development is necessary anyways.
After completing the packaging design, whether large or small, I review how the client will use the packaging. I check all closures to ensure they seal securely yet open with minimal effort. For larger packages, I send them to a lab for crush testing to confirm they can withstand the stresses of long-distance shipping. This thorough review process ensures that the packaging is not only functional but also user-friendly and robust, capable of protecting the product throughout its journey.
The sixth step to design safe products is to learn from best practices and examples of safe products. Best practices and examples are the methods and models that demonstrate the excellence and effectiveness of safe product design. They can be from your own industry or from other industries, depending on the relevance and applicability. You can use tools such as benchmarking, case studies, and research to learn from best practices and examples of safe products. You should also share and exchange your own best practices and examples with other designers and stakeholders.
No todo debe ser copiar información de productos parecidos y replicarse a nuestros productos, se debe tomar en cuenta la mejora continua hasta en ese punto, demostrando diferencia de los demás productos y trayendo dichas mejoras a nuestros clientes, inclusive puede ser usado como estrategia comercial.